This summer, Sitges is taking a step forward in protecting public health, the environment and coastal safety by declaring all the town's beaches smoke-free. The measure encompasses all eighteen beaches in town and the seventeen kilometres of coastline. Until now, the only smoke-free beaches were Sant Sebastià and La Fragata. The new regulation bans smoking on both the sand and in the sea on the beaches, including e-cigarettes and vaping. The sole exception is the beach bars and terraces open for the season, where smoking will be allowed.

Cigarette butts are some of the most common type of waste found on the coast and can take over a decade to break down, with a direct impact on the marine ecosystem. The initiative also aims to contribute to raising awareness of and preventing smoking, especially among younger people, and to guarantee non-smokers’ right to enjoy public spaces without being exposed to tobacco smoke.

New devices to support sea rescues

There is also news on the safety front. This summer, City Council will add three boards to support sea rescues in a pilot test whose goal is to enhance beach safety. These devices, lent by a Danish company via the Government of Catalonia Firefighters, will be available on La Fragata/la Ribera, Sant Sebastià and Garraf beaches so that anyone can use them if they detect an emergency situation in the water as they wait for the specialised services to arrive.

The boards are equipped with geolocation and an automatic activation system that immediately alerts the management company when movement is detected. They are very easy to use and highly intuitive; however, City Council would like to remind citizens of the importance of always phoning 112 in any emergency and following the user instructions on the devices.

Lifeguard and first-aid service and improvements in accessibility

From this week until 31 May, the new lifeguard and first-aid service will be operating at three beaches in town, La Fragata, La Ribera and Bassa Rodona, from 12 noon to 6 pm. During June until Sant Joan, the timetable expands to 10 am to 6 pm and more beaches are covered, with the addition of Les Botigues, Garraf, Sant Sebastià, Balmins, Aiguadolç, L’Estanyol, Riera Xica, La Barra, Terramar and Anquines. Cala Morisca and Cala Ginesta will be covered by the service starting on 13 June. The service will be operating fully from Sant Joan through the months of July and August, from 10 am to 7 pm, on all the aforementioned beaches.

Likewise, City Council has used a Next Generation EU subsidy to acquire 470 new accessible, dismountable wooden walkways as part of the Destination Tourism Sustainability Plans. These structures facilitate safe, comfortable access to the bathing area and can be connected to services like the assisted bathing shaded areas, the lifeguard modules, the showers or the bathrooms. The goal is to improve accessibility and facilitate all users’ access to the beach.